“But why did he confess to so much?” asked Margie. “Won’t it make his sentence more severe?”
“That remains to be seen. We have long suspected he was but a tool in Simmons’ schemes. Undoubtedly he reasoned that, by making a clean breast of it, he would prove a valuable witness against Simmons and thus perhaps escape punishment. In the morning I want to look over your crops. Chester tells me that they are ahead of any others about here. The settlers are all talking about them, and declaring that you are cutting off their water supply by so much irrigating. I may as well tell you that two complaints have been filed. While I believe they are prompted by jealousy, I desire to look over the ground myself. By learning conditions, I shall be able to prevent any serious trouble.”
At Andy’s words consternation seized the family, and the boys related in detail their method of breaking the crust and then irrigating once a week.
“Who is making the complaints, Andy?” asked Joy.
“Oh, let’s forget about them—they don’t amount to anything.”
“I was only wondering if it were Jerry Perkins and Lafe Hall.”
“Because I saw them riding to Bradley with Simmons yesterday.”
Glad were the land agent and fire lookout that it was twilight, and that the expressions on their faces at this information could not be seen.
“Much obliged for telling me, Joy,” returned Andy, quietly. “And now let’s think of something else. By the way, I’ve some good news that I almost forgot. Si wrote that he might be over this way any day now.”
“Oh, I hope he comes before we begin to harvest. I want him to see our alfalfa standing,” exclaimed Ted.
The mention of the harvest brought up the question of method, and Mr. Jay offered the boys the use of his mowing-machine and reaper in return for their assistance in garnering his crops.
“Why don’t you rent E 2 to Phil and Ted, Jasper?” inquired Chester.
“Mebbe I will—if they ask me to. They’d make a mighty purty farm, E 1 and 2 would.”
This suggestion roused a train of possibilities that the young people discussed until Mrs. Porter declared they would never get up in the morning unless they retired at once. And with brains awhirl with big thoughts, they exchanged “good-nights.”
To Ted it seemed that he had only just closed his eyes when his shoulder was shaken and Margie’s voice sounded in his ear.